Battery suit against Madison police officers settles

A suit over the alleged beating of a St. Louis truck driver by Madison police officers that spawned a different lawsuit by one of its witnesses has settled.

Details of the settlement between plaintiff Adulis Kidane and the City of Madison and two of its police officers were not available Wednesday. The case settled Sept. 10, according to an order signed by Madison County Circuit Judge Barbara Crowder.

The case had been set for trial Sept. 14.

Kidane sued the City of Madison and its police officers Michael Renth and J.D. Harris for battery and false imprisonment stemming from an incident in May 2006.

At the time of the May incident, Kidane, a truck driver, contended that the two police officers pulled him from his tractor trailer, kicked him in the head and tased him while he was handcuffed on the ground.

He was then arrested, jailed and charged with resisting arrest and criminal trespass to property.

Kidane sought damages of at least $50,000 per count of his suit and costs.

In his request for punitive damages, Kidane cited the testimony of one of the truck stop's security guards, Stephen Rose.

Rose, who allegedly witnessed the beating, was later arrested by the Madison police on several weapons charges and for impersonating a police officer. Those charges were later dropped.

Rose sued the city and two different members of its police force for malicious prosecution, claiming his arrest was retaliatory for witnessing the May incident.

Rose's suit came to trial in May and the jury awarded Rose more than $100,000.

Crowder also presided over that trial.

Kidane is represented by Brian Polinske. Polinske also represented Rose.

The city and the officers involved in both suits are represented by James Craney.

The case is currently set for a case management conference in October.